"Do not linger in the shadows of fear and despair" 🌅✝️ The President's 2025 Easter Message is out now

"The tomb – once a symbol of defeat – became the birthplace of courage" The President's Easter Message is out now

The Uniting Church Assembly is delighted to release the 2025 Easter message from President Rev Charissa Suli, here to give hope and inspiration to you and your community this Easter season! Inspired by the women who faithfully came to the tomb in the early morning and had their sorrow transformed into joy, the President calls to us to rise from our tombs and live as Easter people. "The tomb – once a symbol of defeat – became the birthplace of courage. They came grieving and afraid and were called from their sorrow. They rose up. They ran and they proclaimed. Fear gave way to faith. Despair gave way to purpose." "And now, the question comes to us: What tombs are we living in? The tomb of fear? Of division? Of hopelessness?" "We must rise now and speak words of healing into a world torn apart. Act with courage where the vulnerable are forgotten. Love without limits. Serve without fear. Hope without hesitation." We invite Uniting Church communities to download, watch together and share the message on or around Easter Day. You can download it from Vimeo, watch it on our website or click the image below. This holiest of Christian seasons, let's "live boldly as people of new life, strong in courage and relentless in love." May the joy of the risen Christ bring you peace and renew your spirit this Easter! Watch the President's Easter message Watch and download

Copyright © 2025 Uniting Church in Australia, All rights reserved.

Prayers and Preparation for Yasa

Assembly President Dr Deidre Palmer has called Uniting Church members to pray for the people of Fiji as Tropical Cyclone Yasa heads towards the Fijian archipelago.

The Fijian government has ordered a nationwide curfew as the Category 5 storm passes over the islands from Thursday evening Australian time (17 Dec), bringing with it torrential rain and winds of up to 250 kilometres an hour.

About 850,000 Fijians - 95 per cent of the population - live in the direct path of the cyclone, and people in low-lying areas have been ordered to move to higher ground.

“We are watching the news about Cyclone Yasa with alarm and deep concern for you and our friends and partners in Fiji,” said Dr Palmer in a message to Rev James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches.

“You are very much on our hearts and in our prayers.”

While preparing his own home for the Cyclone, Rev Bhagwan replied saying, he feared for his countrymen and women.

“This is a huge system so Suva will take a bigger hit than in 2016 with Severe Tropical Cyclone Winston, and as you know, the many squatter and informal settlements in the greater Suva area have very ill-constructed homes so this is a major worry,” said Rev Bhagwan.

 “Yet our faith, our traditional knowledge and wisdom and experiences of the past keep us resilient. We have been expecting this weather since the early and abundant breadfruit season and prolonged mango season (see how God through His creation speaks to us and provides for us).

Rev Bhagwan also lamented the Australian Government’s lack of action to address the affects of climate change, which include more frequent and severe tropical storms.

“Thank you for keeping us in prayers. It will be a tough Christmas. We really need to shift gear on Climate Change as these are all climate change induced extreme weather events. When we talk about loss and damage in climate negotiations - this is part of it.”

“At times like this I question your government's commitment to their Pacific family. How much of the support that will flow in after this cyclone in terms of relief is to their "Vuvale" Pacific Partnership and how much is a guilt offering on their failure to be the world leader they could be on climate change.

“It breaks my heart that the Pacific Church Partnership of DFAT will engage on many things but we are not able to leverage it on the urgent matter of climate change. Nevertheless we will remain the persistent widow until things change.”

The National Director of UnitingWorld Dr Sureka Goringe echoed the President’s call for prayers and said she and her team would be watching the situation closely in the hours ahead.

“A speedy emergency response is going to be vital,” said Dr Goringe.

“UnitingWorld stands ready to assist our friends in the Methodist Church in Fiji and the Pacific Conference of Churches. and we will call on the generosity of Uniting Church members.”

Prayers for Peace in Artsakh – Nagorno-Karabakh

The Ghazanchetsots Cathedral which was hit by a missile on 8 October. Credit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghazanchetsots_Cathedral

The Uniting Church in Australia is deeply concerned by the recent violence in Artsakh – Nagorno-Karabakh. The conflict between Azeri and ethnic Armenian forces has continued over recent days with fears it could escalate across the region.

The Uniting Church is aware of the significant number of people from this region who have made their home in Australia, some within our Church, and understands the distress and anguish this situation brings. The Church expresses concern for our Armenian members who have shared of their distress about the ongoing violence, including the destruction of the Ghazanchetsots Church Cathedral in Shushi - Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), a place of worship from the mid-1700s. The Cathedral was visited by UCA members on a tour of the region in 2019. On 8 October 2020 the church was hit by a missile.

The Uniting Church supports the call by the United Nations and several national leaders around the world for a ceasefire to these current hostilities, especially urging the Australian Government to use its diplomatic influence to help bring the international community together to initiate peace talks and put a stop to the horrendous acts of violence.

Uniting Church President Dr Deidre Palmer encourages UCA members to hold in prayer the Armenian members of the Uniting Church, those who have had loved ones killed or injured and to pray for a peaceful outcome to this conflict.

On 12 October 2020, World Council of Churches interim general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca expressed deep concern about ongoing violations of the humanitarian ceasefire agreed between Armenia and Azerbaijan on 10 October.

“We condemn any targeted attack on one another’s religious and cultural sites,” said Rev. Dr Sauca.

Uniting Church in Australia Assembly Prayers

PRAYERS FOR THIS SEASON

The President and Moderators have prepared a weekly cycle of prayers for use by congregations and in people’s personal devotions, as a way of connecting Uniting Church members. as we pray each day for one another and the life of the Australian community. We hope these prayers nurture and encourage you.

Sunday Prayer : Dr Deidre Palmer – President of the Uniting Church in Australia

Gracious and loving God,
You call us to love you with our whole being, and to love our neighbours as ourselves.
At this time of upheaval and distress for nations and people across our world, may your love hold us together.
May your love be the lens through which we see each other and your world.
Lord Jesus Christ, you are present with us, as one who knows our suffering, bring comfort and peace to all those who are grieving the loss of loved ones, work, connection and hope for the future.
May we embody your compassion – responding to the suffering of our neighbours, our families, our friends, and strangers with generosity.
Life-giving Spirit, you weave us together as the Body of Christ, strengthen our life together, even though we are physically separated. Nurture us in faith and discipleship, that we may bear witness through our living, to your abundant grace and liberating hope for all people, and the whole creation.
Through Christ our Life and Hope, we pray. Amen.

Monday Prayer : Rev Steve Francis, Moderator of the Synod of Western Australia

Holy and loving God, the Psalmist reminds us that “You are our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble”.
Lord God we feel deeply that our world is in trouble with the spread of the coronavirus.
Eternal God we recognise a sense of fear and anxiety about the future.
We ask that we calmly place our faith in you and increase our love for our neighbour.
We believe you care deeply about all those who are affected by this pandemic.
In these troubling times teach us how to be agents of peace and carriers of compassion.
We pray for all who are on the front line of this battle; our medical teams, health professionals and their patients. Grant, we pray safety and healing.
We pray for our political leaders, national and state that you would give them wisdom and insight.
We pray for all who have lost loved ones to this virus, grant them comfort and courage.
We pray for all who have lost their jobs or their businesses, grant them the help they need.
We pray for all Australians that you will help us to replace fear with faith, despair with hope and hoarding with kindness.
Please bring out the best in us as we face the challenge of these days,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Tuesday Prayer : Rev Thresi Mauboy Wohangara, Northern Synod

Lord Almighty, our Rabbi
While we live in the midst of uncertainty because of the heavy struggles we face during this CoVID-19 pandemic,
You come and greet us in Your way.
Many prayers have been offered to You - together and individually. The Churches of God all over the world have put aside their differences to unite and call your name.
O God, have mercy upon us according to your loyal love.
Erase our transgressions according to Your great grace!
Do not cast us away from you, and do not take your Holy spirit from us!
We do not have the power to avoid what happens, and no power to obey, except with the help of God the Most High and the Most Great!
O’ Saviour do not let us get lost. Guide us through this period of struggle.
For all governments in the world, give them the heart to understand when creating policies related to the economy, to security, and to the health and welfare of their peoples.
God also help the doctors and medical workers who are temporarily working hard to help all those who are sick. Instil in their hearts the heart of a compassionate servant who is ready to serve and give help to those in need.
Give them health and strength, and protect them and their families.
Finally, to all of us to respect and obey all appeals made by the government while faithfully and truly trusting in the Lord God, whom we worship.
Let us trust God is present as a helper and redeemer of His people.
He is always within reach.
He is never far away.
He is close.
He is with us.
He cares.
He heals.
He restores.
He redeems. Let it be thy will, forever. Amen

Wednesday Prayer : Rev David Baker, Moderator of the Synod of Queensland

Loving God, you are revealed in Jesus Christ, in whom you became one with us.
Remind us of Your solidarity with us in all the vagaries of our lives.
Strengthen our confidence in You so that we may act with wisdom and grace;
Assuage our fears, that we may be strength and hope for others.
We lift up to you all those responsible for decision-making regarding this pandemic.
Lead them by your Spirit.
We pray for those who are vulnerable and marginalised; for those whose lives have been profoundly disrupted; that through this crisis, our societies may especially care for them.
We pray for those who are grieving the loss of people they loved;
We pray for our time in isolation; may we truly love one another.
Above all we thank you for the rich heritage we enjoy in this country;
may we act as those who are aware of the future we are building for others. Amen.

Thursday Prayer : Rev Simon Hansford, Moderator of the Synod of NSW and the ACT

God of the wilderness,
In the muteness of isolation,
your Spirit whispers a gentle presence;
In the brokenness of separation,
your embrace is hope and life;
When all appears at be at risk -
our community, our life, our future,
you are present, bearing us to life again.
You are before us,
beside and behind us.
We trust in you.
All in Christ, we pray. Amen.

Friday Prayer : Rev Denise Liersch, Moderator of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania

God of compassion, God-with-us,
be with us in these times of uncertainty.
Break into our lives,
rekindle our hope
and breathe love into our communities,
that we might find new ways
of supporting and upholding one another,
bearing witness to your inclusive love
of family, friend, neighbour and stranger alike.
May our love for those most vulnerable in our community
become a beacon of hope for all.
In faith, hope and love, in the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Saturday Prayer : Mr Bronte Wilson, Moderator of the UCA Synod of South Australia

O God, you are our certainty in a time of uncertainty.
We find ourselves at home, feeling confused and anxious.
We watch the world shut down around us, bringing grief and fear.
We seek your comfort, and your peace.
In our separation, may we find connection, with you and with each other.
Remind us that even when we cannot gather, we are your people, the body of Christ together.
May we take up your call to be the church in your world, caring for the vulnerable, feeding the hungry, showing love and compassion and kindness to those around us.
To you be all glory, O God, we pray.
Amen

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A PRAYER FROM CONGRESS: Pastor Mark Kickett of National UAICC

The scriptures speak to us from Isaiah 52:7;
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God Reigns”.

Our Creator God, you have reminded us through the words of Isaiah, That you are the God of all creation
And in that you show forth you love, your peace and your goodness in abundance.
Right now though, our Creator God, we as a collective nation are crying, hurting, grieving and struggling with fear
and anxiety from the Coronavirus and are desperately in need of the healing and the loving touch that can only come from your hand.
As the First Peoples we recognised and lived in your abundant love and grace for millennia
And our relationship with you was imbedded in the love and respect that we shared.
Therefore, we as First People of this Country, to whom you gave this Country too before time immemorial,
now cry out to you on behalf of this Nation, to once again shine the light of your love, healing, blessing, care and peace
upon us all, as we face the challenge of the Coronavirus.
Our Creator God, you are the Great Physician, you are the Great Healer, you are the Great Comforter, cover this nation with your goodness, and bring about complete restoration, so that with our united voices and hearts we might once again declare, “Our God Reigns”.

OTHER PRAYERS AND REFLECTIONS

All the prayers from all the sources in times of COVID-19.

Rev. David McGregor has written this song after a similar call to prayer by Churches in Scotland, with the encouragement to light a candle at 7pm every night. 
Vocal, words and video recorded here: https://www.facebook.com/dmacgreg1/videos/pcb.10157360176902986/10157360175272986/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

Loving God, stir up our nation: Prayer shared with audio and visuals by Rev. Michael Barnes, Revesby Uniting Church.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=244626580039212

Reflection on community in the midst of a pandemic: a theological reflection by Rev. Dr John Squires on how we be Church in the midst of a crisis.
https://johntsquires.com/2020/03/15/when-you-come-together-reflections-on-community-in-the-midst-of-a-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR12z-xY6YLwZdckisNhzejwXJVyKbxeTHs1XG90oxAYiIGlXJgXJw8fdOA

Certainty in uncertain Times: Reflection and Prayer from Ravenswood School Chaplain Rev. Jon Humphries:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/growinginfaithuca/permalink/1280841815442499/

A Call to Worship for Dispersed People: Prayer from Craig Mitchell
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PrayersThatUnite/

Prayer for those affected by Coronavirus in Australia and the World: Written by Rev Enshuo Zhu, Rev Dr Ji Zhang; Translated by Rev Dr Ji Zhang. On behalf of Chinese National Conference of Uniting Church in Australia
Download Here

Dispersed Community - Prayers, Psalms and Reflections - Rev. Dr Amelia Koh Butler is continually updating her blog Hyphenated Faith with prayers, psalms and reflections, including for those experiencing grief, isolation, for children, for loved ones who are in aged care and more.

A Prayer for Dispersal by Rev. Ann Perrin
Ever-living, ever-present God,
You are with us.
We come before you this day
knowing we’re are to be dispersed,
sent out into your world
to be your church in new ways.

If we are resistant to this change Lord,
hear our prayer of confession
and bless us with forgiveness,
patience and resilience
for we are committed to care for each other as we care for ourselves.

So help us to discover new ways to share
why we live our lives committed to sharing the promises of the gospel.

During this time of upheaval, we will remember those whose groups who meet in our buildings
that are not longer available to them
and the new ways they will need to be community.

We remember planned baptisms and weddings
And pray times for rejoicing will not be too far away.

We remember those for who this time is one of uncertainty and challenge
those who now live with fear and in isolation.
and those for whom this time is one of anguish and death.
Hold all those in need of your love at this time.

Holy God, you encourage us when doubtful to draw closer to you.
Allow us to recognise your Holy Spirit as our guide, comforter, and companion.

And so with the hope you instill in us
and when the time time is right and this season of our church is over
we will return as your gathered community
with the joy of Easter Day,
celebrating our resilience, knowing our communities are stronger then ever
to continue your work to help build a flourishing world where ever we find ourselves.

Amen